Uzbekistan: Land of Silk Road Treasures
Group Tour
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Overview
Uzbekistan has been at the crossroads of cultures and customs for over two millennia. Located halfway along the Silk Road, its cities and monuments pay glorious testament to the wealth and commerce that passed through the region. Uzbekistan has a rich history from the legend of Tamerlane to the Emirate of Bukhara, and some of the finest mosques and mausoleums found anywhere in Central Asia.
This exhilarating adventure begins in Tashkent, where we’ll have time to explore some of the ...
Uzbekistan has been at the crossroads of cultures and customs for over two millennia. Located halfway along the Silk Road, its cities and monuments pay glorious testament to the wealth and commerce that passed through the region. Uzbekistan has a rich history from the legend of Tamerlane to the Emirate of Bukhara, and some of the finest mosques and mausoleums found anywhere in Central Asia.
This exhilarating adventure begins in Tashkent, where we’ll have time to explore some of the highlights of the Uzbek capital before moving on to Khiva. There, we take time to discover the madrasahs and monuments of its historic heart, before following the ancient Silk Road on to Bukhara, considered to be the most complete medieval city in Central Asia.
After taking in Bukhara’s UNESCO treasures, we turn our attention towards the mountains, where we enjoy the hospitality of village life around the Nuratau Reserve. The final leg of our adventure then takes us on to historic Samarkand, a fitting end to a journey steeped in the legends and legacy of the Silk Road.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
Buses, domestic flights and trains.
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
6 nights x Superior
1 night x Simple
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip. Whilst we endeavour to secure twin share accommodation at the guesthouse, there may be up to four people per room on occasion. Bathrooms are communal and located outside of the main building. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour starts in Tashkent
Day 1 Tour starts in Tashkent
Rooms will be available in Tashkent from this afternoon. Those arriving on the group flights will arrive in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Day 2 Tashkent: City Tour Including Bazaar & Opera House
Day 2 Tashkent: City Tour Including Bazaar & Opera House
Tashkent is Uzbekistan’s vibrant capital which sat at the heart of the old Central Asian trading routes, gaining prominence under the Mongols and the Shabanids, before finally being absorbed by the expansionist policies of the Russian empire during the 19th century. Flattened by a devastating earthquake in the mid-1960s, the city was reinvented by the Kremlin to represent the very epitome of the socialist ideal. After our morning briefing, we will head out and see some of the capital's highlights - including the Khast Imam Complex, the stunning edifice of the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Chorsu Bazaar, a vast open-air market that sits in the heart of the old part of the city.
Day 3 Tashkent – Nukus/ Urgench - Khiva: Kyzyl-Kum Desert, Ayaz Kala & Toprak Kala
Day 3 Tashkent – Nukus/ Urgench - Khiva: Kyzyl-Kum Desert, Ayaz Kala & Toprak Kala
This morning we take an early flight to Nukus or Urgench, and then drive to the Kyzyl-Kum Desert, to explore Ayaz Kala and Toprak Kala. Ayaz Kala, an impressing mudwalled hilltop fortress dating from the 2nd century has magnificent views over the nearby lake. From there, we continue to Toprak Kala which flourished in the 3rd century AD as the capital of the Khoresmshah Dynasty. Later this afternoon, we'll travel by road to Khiva where we can enjoy an evening walk around the incredibly well-preserved old town.
Day 4 Khiva: Full Day Exploring the Many Historic Monuments
Day 4 Khiva: Full Day Exploring the Many Historic Monuments
Considered a pearl of eastern architecture, Khiva is one of the oldest cities of ancient Khorezm. Legend has it that is was founded by Shem, the son of Noah, and archaeological records can trace its origins back to the 4th or 5th century BC. We will spend today exploring its madrasahs and museums, wandering the narrow streets of the Ichan Kala (inner city) and enjoying the atmosphere and sights of a city that can boast some 50 historic monuments.
Day 5 Khiva – Bukhara: Afternoon Walk & Dinner
Day 5 Khiva – Bukhara: Afternoon Walk & Dinner
Continuing our journey down the old Silk Road, we will make our way to Bukhara. More than 2,000 years old and home to some 140 architectural monuments, the historic centre has been described by UNESCO as the most complete example of a medieval city in Central Asia. Upon arrival later this afternoon, we will take a stroll around the old city before dinner. Driving distance 480km, 7-8 hours approx.
Day 6 Bukhara: Cultural Highlights, Plov Demonstration & Free Time
Day 6 Bukhara: Cultural Highlights, Plov Demonstration & Free Time
Considered to be Central Asia’s holiest city, Bukhara is liberally sprinkled with an architectural legacy that spans a thousand years of history. A centre of trade, culture and scholarship for centuries, under the Samanids the city became a major intellectual centre of the Islamic world. Today we’ll take in some of its highlights, with visits planned to the imposing Ark of Bukhara, the Kunya Ark Complex and the Samanids Mausoleum, the Friday Mosque and Lab-i Hauz, home to the 16th century Kukeldash Madrasah, the largest in the city. Lunch will consist of a plov cookery demo, so that we can see how the national dish of Uzbekistan is made before sampling the results. We will then have the remainder of the day free for shopping and generally relaxing in this most characterful of the old Silk Road towns.
Day 7 Bukhara – Yangikishlak: Experience Village Life
Day 7 Bukhara – Yangikishlak: Experience Village Life
Departing Bukhara this morning our next stop is the village of Yangikishlak, located between Lake Aydarkul and the Nurafshan Mountains. Occupying a fertile valley that forms part of the Nuratau-Kyzyikum Bio-Reserve, this area is home to a number of traditional villages, unique plant life and the highly endangered Severtzov wild sheep. On arrival we will have a chance to settle into our family guesthouse, before enjoying an afternoon’s introduction to the family and to village life. If we’re lucky, we may be able to enjoy some of the region’s traditional music and dance - a wonderful way to learn more about local folklore and legends. Total driving distance and time: 320km, approx. 5hrs.
Day 8 Yangikishlak – Samarkand: Nuratau Nature Reserve & Evening in Registan Square
Day 8 Yangikishlak – Samarkand: Nuratau Nature Reserve & Evening in Registan Square
This morning we will visit the Nuratau Reserve by walking through some of the local villages. Offering up a mix of natural and cultural highlights, the area is home to an array of unique plant life and some 160 species of birds. After a delicious lunch prepared by our host family, we journey east towards one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in Central Asia. Once one of the greatest cities on earth, Samarkand is a name that resonates with the commerce and colour of the old Silk Road. We will aim to arrive by evening at the Registan, a sublime combination of three magnificent madrassahs overlooking a square for which this ancient city is so famous.
Day 9 Samarkand: Monuments, Bazaars & Wine-Tasting
Day 9 Samarkand: Monuments, Bazaars & Wine-Tasting
Our tour of the city continues today with a visit to the Gur Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of Tamerlane, the founder of the Timurid Empire. We’ll also take in the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis and the 15th century Bibi-Khanym Mosque, once considered one of the most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world. After a chance to explore the bustling Siyob Bazaar, there will be some free time before we set out for wine-tasting at the Khovrenko Winery.
Day 10 Samarkand – Tashkent: Konigil Meros Paper Mill, Train to Tashkent
Day 10 Samarkand – Tashkent: Konigil Meros Paper Mill, Train to Tashkent
Today we will visit to the fascinating Konigil Meros Paper Mill to see the famous Samarkand paper production process before some time at leisure. Bidding farewell to this famed city, we will take an afternoon train back to Tashkent for the last night of the tour. Full circle, we’ll reminisce about our journey through such a hospitable and vibrant country.
Day 11 Tour finishes in Tashkent
Day 11 Tour finishes in Tashkent
The tour ends this morning after breakfast.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Hotel Inspira-S, Tashkent
Upon entering this modern hotel in the centre of the capital, guests are greeted by Tashkent’s first robot concierge, who can offer guests information about the hotel’s surrounding highlights which include the Chorsu Bazaar, a 20-minute walk away. Room categories come in Standard, Deluxe and Suites, all with matching cool, contemporary grey and beige décor and orthopedic beds. Larger than most hotels found elsewhere in the country, the Inspira S opened in 2021 with 140 rooms; the Inspira Restaurant open for Uzbek, European and Japanese dishes from midday; and the ‘SPA-Zone’ which includes an indoor pool, massage rooms, a Turkish bath, a Finnish sauna and gym. Key reasons to stay here would be the central location, new facilities and a good breakfast.
Orient Star Hotel (Khiva Madrasah), Khiva
Contained inside the 19th century Mukhamed Aminkhan Madrassah, the Orient Star enjoys a faultless location within the walls of Ichan Qala, the medieval citadel in the heart of Khiva. Only a short walk from the city's mosques, madrassas, palaces and hammams, the building used to be the biggest operational madrassah of the city and held up to 250 students. The traditional building now features 60 simply decorated but comfortable and clean en suite rooms. Once cells of the students who studied here, each room is a historical and architectural adventure. The restaurant and bar, situated in another madrasah next to the hotel, offers Uzbek meals and local wine.
Sasha & Son, Bukhara
Sasha & Sons was a 16th-century Jewish merchant’s house that has been renovated and converted into a beautiful, boutique hotel. Located in the heart of city, and within walking distance from ancient Labi-Hauz complex, the family-run hotel is decorated with art pieces and wall paintings hand made by well-known Uzbek craftsmen and painters, reminiscent of 18th-century Bukhara. Guests can walk through the peaceful, inner courtyard and up the ornate stairs to the guestrooms. With 20 rooms in total, each offers an individual interior design brimming with local character and comes with standard amenities including air-conditioning and a mini bar. Meals and refreshments can be enjoyed in the dining room or served in the property’s central courtyard.
Nurata Guesthouse (Hayat Village), Nurata Mountains
The Nurata Guesthouse Association is comprised of seven guesthouses across five villages in the Nurata mountains. At each of the guesthouses you will live with the family and be able to observe and join in with their daily lives as well as explore the area on foot or by donkey. The guesthouses are very simple, and bedrooms are usually decorated with rugs and feature kurpacha mattresses. In the winter the guesthouses can become quite cold and are heated with hot coals, whilst in the summer, it is possible to sleep outside. Outdoor bathroom facilities include showers, Western flush toilets and running water. Home cooked meals are taken with the family with the ingredients often coming from the guesthouse’s own vegetable gardens and animals.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Staying in the Nurata Mountains
In Central Asia – and in particular Uzbekistan – we like to venture out into the more rural areas, such as the beautiful Nuratau Mountains, where we aim to develop unique relationships that will benefit both the local families and our travellers. Uzbekistan is known for its famed Silk Road cities, and whilst visitors focus on these areas there is little opportunity for those who live rurally to benefit from the country’s ever-growing tourism industry. On this trip we will spend one night in the heart of the Nuratau Valley, and by staying at small family-run guesthouses, we can put much needed funds directly into the local communities. In addition, all food is produced locally so several members of the village benefit financially, which in turn improves several families’ standard of living. The great thing about this kind of interactive tourism is that everyone gains – the locals financially and us from the fuss they make of us!
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| HY 202 | London Heathrow (LHR) 16:20 | Tashkent Airport (TAS) 03:10 |
| HY 201 | Tashkent Airport (TAS) 11:10 | London Heathrow (LHR) 14:50 |
Visas & Vaccinations
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Uzbekistan.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Uzbekistan.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
The high-season in Uzbekistan is spring and autumn when days should be hot without being scorching. At this time of year also evenings are usually cool and very pleasant. Summer and winter, although offering more extreme temperatures are also viable options for Uzbekistan, especially for those who prefer fewer crowds.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. For instance, you can opt out of the walks in the Nuratau Mountains if you would prefer to focus your attention on village life.
There are some long drives on bumpy roads involved in this tour due to the distances we need to cover, but the changing scenery should make these an interesting aspect of the trip.
Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety may be more limited.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour except for the guesthouse in Yangikishlak.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 6518 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.